Learning in Public: Experiments in Curricular Exhibitions

Saturday, September 29, 2012
10:30 AM- 12:00 PM, WCC 233

Curricular exhibits are a powerful mechanism for making connections between the teaching and learning goals of an institution, the physical and intellectual resources of the library, local artists, and public scholarship. Join us for an exploration of three case studies followed by a lively discussion about how student-curated exhibitions both engage and challenge our notions of the classroom from the perspective of professors, exhibit professionals, artists, and librarians.

Natasha Pestichis a local Minneapolis artist, educator and community artist. She is currently an Associate Professor atMCAD, where she has developed an innovative curriculum in the study of printmaking. Her work has been showcased in both alternative spaces like theUrban Institute for Contemporary Artsin Michigan, and theGenerator Galleryin Scotland, and museum spaces like theMinneapolis Institute of Arts. Highlights of her community art work includes several projects, most notably the inter-disciplinary project/performanceNorth & Beyond, in Philadelphia,Sidewalks Saving Livesin Minneapolis, and her most recent partnership with the Pillsbury House & Theater. Degrees: Concordia University, B.F.A.; Tyler School of Art, Temple University, M.F.A. in Printmaking.

Heather Tompkins and Margaret Pezalla-Granlund will discusscurricular library exhibitionsthat involve library staff, faculty, and student curators and a model for curatorial collaboration that has grown from this work.

Heather Tompkinsis Reference & Instruction Librarian for Humanities at Carleton College. Since coming to Carleton, she has had the opportunity to contribute to Carleton's information literacy program, collaborate with the library exhibits staff oncurricular exhibits, and help develop and host an annualMystery eventas part of new student orientation. Before becoming a librarian, Tompkins attended Miami University of Ohio, where she studied History and American studies and dabbled in Archives and Special Collections. Tompkins is an active member of theWomen & Gender Studies sectionof ACRL.

Aisling spoke about theWhite Spacesat Carleton's newWeitz Center for Creativityand their first year "in business" as unique and experimental venues for semi-formal exhibitions, visual critiques, classroom exercises, and so-called "happenings."

Aisling Quigley(Carleton Class of 2009) assists with all aspects of Viz, with particular emphasis on faculty support and exhibition preparation. Quigley collaborates with the Director of thePerlman Teaching Museumand the Curator of LibraryExhibitionsthroughout the exhibition process. She also curates and organizes exhibitions in the three informal exhibitionWhite Spacesin Carleton’s newly erectedWeitz Center for Creativity. Degree: Carleton College, B.A.

Kerry Morgan has spent most of her life as a student or working with students in college and university art galleries and museums. She has a BA in art history and history from Smith College, and an MA and PhD in art history from the University of Kansas. She was previously a curatorial assistant in the departments of prints and drawings and contemporary art at theCantor Arts Centerat Stanford University; the curator of collections at theKrannert Art Museumat the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and the gallery and exhibits coordinator atAugsburg College.